As Malaysia emerges as a regional data center hub, Chinese companies have invested in the country to set up data centers to help drive Malaysia's ambitions and facilitate regional development in the digital industry.
China State Construction Engineering, which has built some of the most iconic buildings in Malaysia, has started a data center project for a Singaporean firm Infinaxis in Cyberjaya, the Silicon Valley of Malaysia.
The project is expected to create new jobs and enhance local digital infrastructure.
"From this data center project construction, I think we can help Malaysia, the local staff, and also local suppliers and subcontractors to have good work and income," said Zhu Zujian, project manager from China State Construction Engineering (Malaysia).
With its high professionalism and expertise in large projects, China State Construction Engineering has garnered recognition from Infinaxis, who called the cooperation a chance to engage with the Chinese construction giant, and to boost together the digital industry in Malaysia, as well as the whole of Southeast Asia.
"Our engagement between Infinaxis and also China State Construction represents much more than just a construction activity. In fact, one engagement with [between] China State and Infinaxis also represents our alignment in terms of our Malaysia economic policy and therefore boosts any AI-oriented or any data-center-oriented business here in Malaysia," said Zali Qifty Abu Bakar, project manager of the Infinaxis Data Center.
"In the future, once the project is to be completed, I think the data center will contribute (to) online work, online payments, and also AI," said Zhu, sharing similar expectations from the Chinese side.
By now, Cyberjaya and the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur have emerged as key data center hubs in Malaysia, with China State Construction Engineering involved in projects at both locations.
With ongoing and completed projects, China has remained a longstanding partner in Malaysia's efforts to become a regional hub for data-intensive services.
Chinese company supports construction of Malaysia data center
The Iranian government is focusing on public concerns and maintaining stable supplies of essential goods amid recent protests, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a televised interview on Sunday.
In the city of Karaj, northwest of the capital Tehran, daily life has largely continued as normal. A video filmed by a local resident on Sunday shows food stores open and grocery shelves fully stocked.
"This is the block near my home, and there are some food stores here. Daily life continues here. Last night we did not see many protests in Karaj. Right now the city is very safe. This is a grocery store close to my home. All the food is available; nothing is in shortage. Here are noodles and different types of beans. Here are dairy products, cheese, and yogurt. I also checked other grocery stores and didn't see any shortages. Everything is available," said local resident Ali Reza.
Iranian officials have described recent disturbances as acts orchestrated by the "enemy," including some carried out by well-trained and armed "terrorists." The incidents have caused casualties among security personnel and civilians, as well as property damage.
The Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani has directed authorities to severely punish the "terrorists."
Meanwhile, Iran's police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan said on Sunday that the police had raised alert levels and arrested several leaders of the troublemakers during the operations on Saturday.
President Pezeshkian noted in the interview that the normal demands of the Iranian people are reasonable and justified, but they must realize that triggering riots and carrying out terrorist acts are the enemy's attempts to undermine the country. He urged the public to remain vigilant.
Also on Sunday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned that Tehran would regard U.S. and Israeli bases and facilities in the Middle East as "legitimate targets" if Washington takes military action against Iran. His remarks followed media reports saying U.S. President Donald Trump is "seriously considering authorizing a strike" against Iran.
Iranian state media reported that at least 109 members of Iran's security forces have been killed in clashes since the protests began 14 days ago. Meanwhile, human rights groups based outside the country said the number of protesters killed has exceeded 200, though the figure could not be independently verified.
The protests initially erupted over a sharp depreciation of the rial and sweeping subsidy reforms. Iranian authorities have blamed the unrest on foreign-linked agents and sanctions imposed by the United States.
Iranian president says government focusing on ensuring supplies amid protests
